The U.S. economy grew by 4.1 percent in the second quarter of 2018, marking the fastest economic expansion in nearly four years, according to a highly anticipated estimate released Friday by the Commerce Department.

President Trump touted the “amazing” growth during remarks at the White House shortly after the report’s release, cheering a shrinking trade deficit and claiming the country is on track to hit the highest annual growth rate in over 13 years.

“We’ve accomplished an economic turnaround of historic proportions,” Trump declared. “Once again, we are the economic envy of the entire world.”

The White House pointed to the gross domestic product (GDP) numbers, considered an official economic scorecard, as a strong indication that its tax cuts, commitment to deregulation and tough trade policies have paid off. The GDP broadly reflects the goods and services produced in the country.

On his nationally syndicated radio show Wednesday evening, Mark Levin lauded President Trump’s announcement that his administration and the European Union president will work toward “zero” tariffs, “zero” subsidies, following trade talks at the White House.

Levin pointed out that if it happens, this will ultimately result in a more prosperous America, unlike seeking protectionist tariffs to shield American industries against global competition, which he criticized on his show the day before. “No tariffs and no subsidies — that’s the Levin position!

Mayor de Blasio has ’fessed up to an unfortunate truth: He doesn’t know what his top minions are doing. Rather, he says, he sets out “broad goals” for his deputies, who then run with them.

Problem is, this mayor isn’t hands-off — he’s checked-out.

“While I am sometimes briefed on specific decisions being made by an agency, I typically do not have unique knowledge on the subject,” de Blasio wrote in a signed seven-page declaration filed Monday. “Additionally, I do not micromanage the deputy mayors or city agency commissioners.”

The statement is a bid to avoid being deposed in a lawsuit that argues city affordable-housing policy is racist. No matter that affordable housing is a signature de Blasio issue: His “I know nothing” defense rings all too true.

Time and again, he has denied major problems at one agency or another, admitting the truth only when he has no choice left.

With more democrats following the lead of socialist congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with calls to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino said Sunday that it will lead to the end of the Democratic Party.

Hundreds of protests were held across the country against ICE Saturday, calling for the reunification of children and their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Bongino said on “Fox & Friends” that President Donald Trump has a “unique ability” to provoke a political overreaction by Democrats.

“Calls to abolish ICE will lead to the abolishment of the Democrat party,” he said.

State Assembly candidate David Bressler obtained three key endorsements for his State Assembly run later this year.

Bressler, a businessman, is running against State Assemblymember Ed Braunstein (D-Auburndale, Bay Terrace, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Broadway-Flushing, Douglaston, Floral Park, Glen Oaks, Little Neck). This is his second run after a petitioning issue in the last election.

The Queens County Republican Party, Queens Conservative Party, and Queens County Reform Party all gave their support for his candidacy. Bressler shared his delight in receiving the endorsements from the local organizations.

“It makes me more confident in my election bid to have the backings of those parties. We could take it all the way with the backings of those people and parties,” he said.

He added that there may be more endorsements coming soon after meeting with people from the Independence Party.

Joann Ariola, the chair of the Queens County Republican Party, said the organization did not hesistate to support the Bay Terrace resident.

“The endorsement of David Bressler for Assembly was unanimous. He is a candidate that will work hard and when elected will make a terrific public servant,” Ariola said.

The Queens County Republican Party and Queens County Conservative Club endorsed earlier this month newcomer Simon Minching over Vickie Paladino, who are both running in State Senate District 11.

Minching, a Douglaston resident with a vast background in technology, government finance, and education, thanked the parties for their endorsements and anticipated the upcoming election.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of both the Republican and Conservative Party,” Minching said. “By focusing on issues and running a positive, data-driven campaign, we will overcome the tribalism and corruption that has beset Albany.”

The 30-year-old candidate is running with a platform that includes smart regulation, improving the education system, and reforming government ethics and transparency.

Joann Ariola, chairwoman of the Queens Republican Party, said she and the GOP’s executive committee were impressed with the candidate’s resume and that he outlined a strategy for accomplishing his platform promises.

“It wasn’t just saying ‘A chicken in every pot,’” Ariola told the Chronicle. “He explained how you were going to get that chicken. I think that’s what everyone was impressed with.”

Molinaro was 36 when elected Dutchess County executive in November 2011, the youngest person ever to win that position. He started his public service at 18 when he was elected to the Board of Trustees for the village of Tivoli and a year later became the youngest-ever mayor in the United States.

He’s also served in the Dutchess County Legislature and state Assembly.

Molinaro will face state Sen. John DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse) and Joe Holland, former commissioner of the state Department of Housing and Community Renewal, in the September primary.

The winner of that race will face the Democratic nominee. Cuomo is being challenged by former “Sex and the City” actress Cynthia Nixon.

Eight days after the election, Robert Holden clinched the 30th City Council District seat over two-term incumbent Elizabeth Crowley. His narrow Election Night victory was upheld after the Board of Elections counted all absentee and affidavit ballots on Nov. 15.

It was a stunning defeat for Crowley, the only incumbent Democratic City Council member to lose to a Republican candidate this election cycle. In a statement Thursday morning, Crowley said her nine years working in the City Council were “the most rewarding and fulfilling of my entire life.”

At the conclusion of Wednesday’s count, a source close to the situation reported, Holden had 137 more votes than Crowley. His margin of victory had actually grown by four; after polls were tabulated on Election Night, the Republican challenger had a 133-vote lead over his Democratic rival.

“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, running for office, but it’s the most gratifying thing,” Holden said of his win in an interview with QNS on Nov. 16. “Right now, it’s the most satisfying thing other than maybe getting Elmhurst Park.”

Holden thanked his team of volunteers for the hard work they put in to help him get elected.

“My volunteers were great. They pushed me and supported me,” he said. “They’re responsible for this, not me. This was David and Goliath. A group of volunteers taking down a nine-year incumbent — this is tremendously satisfying, and I owe it all to my volunteers and my wife.”